1 (edited by hionhifi 2021-06-29 17:06:56)

Topic: Help Troubleshooting ADAT of Babyface Pro FS to MOTU 828mk3 Firewire

Hello,
I’m looking for some help troubleshooting the ADAT setup on my Babyface Pro FS (BPFS). I used a MOTU 828mk3 Firewire to expand the I/O of my BPFS.

GOAL
Expand the I/O of the Babyface Pro FS using the adat of the MOTU 828mk3.
Use the BPFS as the Master clock
Change the sample rate from the BPFS

THE PROBLEM
No signal from microphone
Sample rate doesn’t change above 48kHz on the MOTU when I change it on the BPFS higher than 48kHz.

CONNECTIONS
MOTU ADAT Optical Out A —> BPFS ADAT In
BPFS ADAT Out —> MOTU ADAT Optical In A

TROUBLESHOOTING
Microphone
Verified dynamic mic is on and is connected to the front panel Mic 1 on the MOTU.
Mic 1 Trim set to 12-19dB
Mic 1 48v off
Mic 1 -20dB Pad is off
Mic 1 input XLR is selected, not the instrument/TRS input.
I have confirmed I am getting signal from the microphone into the MOTU. I can see the levels move on the MOTU when I speak into the microphone. Nothing on the BPFS.

Sample rate
Set MOTU Clock source to ADAT Optical A
Set MOTU Optical In A and Optical Out A both to ADAT Optical

BPFS Options
EQ for Record is checked
Optical Out = ADAT

BPFS Clock Mode
48kHz
Internal
Sync'd @ 48kHz

THE SETUP
I setup the MOTU up in standalone mode according to these instructions: https://motu.com/techsupport/technotes/ … -converter that sets up the 828mk3 to be configured as a standalone A/D converter using its ADAT optical output by patching its analog inputs to its ADAT outputs.

I setup the BPFS adat according to these instructions: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=32521 & https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … VSR-xeAJVQ

Any help you can provide is appreciated.

2 (edited by vinark 2021-06-29 17:05:32)

Re: Help Troubleshooting ADAT of Babyface Pro FS to MOTU 828mk3 Firewire

I know one thing. Adat highest rate is 48k and higher rates over adat require smux. Almost no devices set this automatically, only very few and of the same brand then, as it is not in the adat protocol. So if you always use 88 or 96k you can set the motu to smux. If you use lower and higher you will need to set it every time you change.
Maybe to see if your setup with the mic is ok, first run at 44k only, if it works there you can try smux.
If you only need 2 channels you can use spdif instead as this has 96k native

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
Babyface pro fs, HDSP9652+ADI-8AE, HDSP9632

Re: Help Troubleshooting ADAT of Babyface Pro FS to MOTU 828mk3 Firewire

vinark wrote:

I know one thing. Adat highest rate is 48k and higher rates over adat require smux. Almost no devices set this automatically, only very few and of the same brand then, as it is not in the adat protocol. So if you always use 88 or 96k you can set the motu to smux. If you use lower and higher you will need to set it every time you change.
Maybe to see if your setup with the mic is ok, first run at 44k only, if it works there you can try smux.
If you only need 2 channels you can use spdif instead as this has 96k native

Vincent, ok. Good to know. I've read about the SMUX. I don't really need anything higher than 48kHz for now. I may in the future but I'll tackle that when I come to it. For now, I would just like to get the mic working through the MOTU through to the BPFS.